The match "Metalist" - "Niva" started with a significant delay due to a bizarre incident
On Sunday, August 30, the match of the fifth round of the First League of the 2026/27 season between Kharkiv's "Metalist" and Ternopil's "Niva" started with almost a two-hour delay. The initial whistle was supposed to sound at 14:45, but the teams only took the field at 16:40.
As the announcer at the stadium reported, the reason for the delay was the too similar playing kits of both teams. The main referee of the match, Vasyl Faida, following the regulations, refused to start the match until the problem was resolved.
According to commentator Vitaliy Volochay, Ternopil's "Niva" had to urgently borrow equipment from the amateur club "Medea" in Uzhhorod just to have the match at all.
As a result, "Metalist" played in their traditional yellow kit, while the players of "Niva" took the field in the unusual red shirts of "Medea" and black shorts.
At the same time, the Ternopil club believes that their lime green kit was noticeably different from the yellow kit of the Kharkiv team. According to unofficial information, "Niva" may appeal to the Control and Disciplinary Committee regarding this incident.
